Zanetti team juve

During the day, our colleagues at fcinternews.it got the opportunity to do an exclusive interview with Inter’s captain Javier Zanetti. They met at the restaurant Il Botinero, which the captain owns together with his countryman Esteban Cambiasso. When the interview was about to begin Javier said:

“First I want to say something.”

Go ahead, Javier…

“There is much talk about whistles and fans who are upset. I understand them because they are the same feelings that I and everyone of us are feeling. We are going through a difficult time, but now we have to try and stick to the certainty we had before to get as many points as possible in these ten games and see if we can really reach that third place.”

Words that are sacred and special. Just like the emotions you feel for having played 600 matches in Serie A?

“I think it is an extraordinary number. As a child I never thought I would have such a career, and most importantly, I never thought I would find a club like Inter that has given me the chance to be captain for so long, something I’m proud for and which I have always mentioned. Though I have gone through difficult times with Inter and that is what led me to develop. Yesterday I said that Inter needs to be loved unconditionally. This is what I know, that is my feeling after having played 600 matches in Serie A. There are many, perhaps I can digest them first when I quit (laughs Ed.)”

Especially now that you have Paolo Maldini 647 appearances in sight…

“Just being on the podium is a source of pride for me. Then we’ll see, what interests me most right now is to reverse this trend and finish the league in a way that will allow us to get to the Champions League.”

But we know that your idea is to continue next year, apart from all the rumors. Are you sure?

“The idea is that I’ll continue, I confirm that. I want to keep playing, then I will talk to Moratti and the club to find out what their plans are. Inter is changing very much. It is right to go for many young people, it is the right way to go. Meanwhile, young people must get help and support, they need time to work and build something significant. Champions are not made overnight.”

In this respect Mateo Kovacic sent good signals last night.

“Definitely. Mateo came well into the game, with personality. We all know the qualities he possesses. Unfortunately he is judged together with the team’s negative performance. If it was a better time, he might be deemed one of the best.”

Alvaro Pereira travels between high and low. Perhaps he can take off next season when he might be with the team’s pre-season training?

“Yes, without a doubt. They are all players who come from a different league, it’s never easy to get used to the Italian league and a team such as Inter who rightly always want to win. But I’m sure that many players will really to do well next season.”

We talked about young people who are here and youngsters already secured for the future like Mauro Icardi: What do you think?

“Inter have a lot of young talent on the horizon that can be very helpful and this is the line to follow. You have to give them time to build something significant. During hard times you can grow, I’ve been through a lot of them in my time, I must tell you. The young players who are here already will not have any problems next season after this experience.”

Finally, a message to the fans, even in difficult times. The third place is not yet lost. You have not given up on it?

“We have not given up on it, absolutely not. We have a duty to try until the end. We are realists, we make no calculations but only think about winning. Then there is also the Coppa Italia. But the first thing we must do is to gain confidence, find the assurance that not only we lost, but also Napoli and Lazio, until the last round. Therefore, we have not given up.”

Source: fcinternews.it